As we ease into the second quarter of 2024, the travel industry is undergoing constant innovation, and travelers’ use of travel solutions is also evolving.
A recent Forbes Advisor survey revealed that nine out of ten Americans plan to travel at least as much in 2024 as they did in the previous year, while 40% aim to travel even more. This surge in wanderlust comes despite rising costs across travel transportation, accommodations, and dining.
If you’re offering travel solutions or a loyalty program, it’s important to understand what motivates travelers and your members to make decisions and how you can make the process easier and more appealing for them.
So, let’s discuss the outlook for travel decisions in 2024. Will travelers consider the social media worthiness of the trip, or will flexibility or wellness take the cake? Here are nine factors that will play a huge role:
- Personalized Experiences are Still Top of the List
Gone are the days of generic, one-size-fits-all packages. In this age of personalization, travelers crave experiences that align with their tastes right from the get-go. Tailor-made travel solutions foster loyalty and satisfaction, and our tiered programs allow you to cater to travelers seeking exclusivity.
2. Health and Safety Are Non-negotiable
Even as the world recovers from the pandemic, health and safety concerns remain at the forefront for travelers. Proactive steps towards integrating the right health insurance products for a peaceful travel experience, as well as flexible booking options, will position your travel solutions as a trusted choice and reflect your commitment to member safety.
3. Technology Defines the Travel Experience
Today’s travelers expect seamless digital interactions from booking to boarding. Capitalize on technological advancements we’ve developed at Custom Travel Solutions to offer intuitive booking platforms, qualitative and comprehensive inventories of travel services and benefits, virtual tours, or AI-enabled personal travel agents or concierges, setting you apart as an innovator in the travel tech space.
4. Value Over Cost Savings
Travelers are looking beyond the initial price tag and seeking broader value – bigger, better, smarter travel rewards and loyalty programs that maximize their investment. Offering free upgrades, access to exclusive spaces, or cultural tours can significantly enrich their travel experiences.
5. Flexibility Counts
The ability to change plans without penalties is a game-changer for travelers. By offering flexibility, you can enforce the message that you truly understand and meet their needs.
6. Cultural Connections Matter
Today’s travelers are eager for a deeper cultural immersion and are turning away from typical tourist traps. Offering local connections, such as meals with local families or hidden gems tours, can enhance the authenticity of the travel experience.
7. Experiential Travel is on the Rise
73% of travelers value their experiences more than the cost, revealing the rising popularity of experiential travel. Half of all travelers plan their trips around specific restaurants and dishes, with a keen interest in regional cuisines.
8. Social Media Inspiration is Key
Over a third of travelers turn to social media for travel inspiration, with 75% even booking trips to new destinations inspired by their friends’ posts. Leveraging influencer marketing and creating shareable content across platforms like Instagram and TikTok can significantly enhance your travel club’s visibility.
9. Wellness Destinations Trending
With increasing stress in planning and budgeting trips, travelers are seeking relaxation and are increasingly attracted to wellness destinations. Trends like slow travel, wellness retreats, and sleep retreats are gaining popularity, with 58% of travelers expressing interest in sleep retreats.
People also read: The Complete Guide To Online Travel Agencies
How Can Custom Travel Solutions Help You Offer Everything Your Members Want and More
The travel industry will be busy in 2024, with hotels and destinations being booked and receiving traffic throughout the year. With your members or employees now more travel-aware than ever, it’s time for you to ramp up your travel solutions with the largest travel rewards platform, Custom Travel Solutions.
Create unique and customized experiences with tiered memberships, member-only pricing, and benefits. Choose from over 30 benefits, including access to 3 million plus hotels, apartments, villas, 40,000 plus cruise itineraries, and other benefits such as on-spot legal and medical assistance, luggage insurance, and more.
Our completely customizable private label platform and booking engine allows you to create a branded experience for your members. You can leverage our round-the-clock customer support and marketing services for your benefit too. Book a demo to learn more we can offer to increase your travel rewards or the recurring revenue of your loyalty program.
